Nearly 750 children were exposed to domestic violence in North East Lincolnshire last year.

It comes as it can be revealed that at least 74 children were also identified as being involved in child criminal exploitation, as a result of County Lines drug gangs.

Figures released in the North East Lincolnshire Council Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report show that 739 children needed support after experiencing domestic violence in 2017/18, with 34 more requiring a child protection plan than the year before.

A new scheme called Operation Encompass has been launched in schools in the area, so that they are made aware when a student has witnessed a domestic violence incident. Last year there were 1,332 notifications made to schools through this scheme.

More than 730 children experienced domestic violence in North East Lincolnshire last year.

The Helping Hands programme, run by Women's Aid also helped 300 children cope with the trauma of domestic violence through its outreach service.

Child criminal exploitation has become a serious problem in the area since the emergence of County Lines drug gangs who have been infiltrating North East Lincolnshire and taking advantage of children to peddle their illicit trade.

74 children were identified last year as being exploited by these gangs, often being lured in through the promise of money, protection and status. However once fully involved with the drug dealers the reality of this quickly changes and there have been reports of children suffering machete wounds and broken bones for failing to do what they're told.

A Grimsby mother spoke of her son's involvement in county lines drug dealing, being recruited at the age of 13. 74 children were identified as being involved in child criminal exploitation last year. (Image: Jon Corken/GrimsbyLive)

Children are viewed as victims in cases of criminal exploitation, and Modern Day Slavery legislation is being used to combat those who have taken advantage of them.

The authorities in North East Lincolnshire have been praised for their quick response to the County Lines drug dealing problem, recognising it much earlier than other areas, with a Home Office review commending the area for its good practice, while other local authorities are struggling to come to grips with the matter.

A multi-agency child exploitation meeting is held every six weeks, where members consider the victims of criminal and sexual child exploitation.

In the latter half of last year there was an increase in cases heard regarding these issues, with child sexual exploitations rising from five in December, to 10 in March. Child criminal exploitation cases went from six in December to 11 in March.

Drugs seized by police following a county lines operation in Grimsby (Image: Grimsby Live)

A new specialist project is set to be created, which will see authorities working with victims of criminal exploitation and trafficking for a four year period.

Neglect is another major issue for children in the borough, which had the third highest rate of children at risk of abuse and neglect in the country, at one in 23. Hull had the second highest rate with one in 22, and Rotherham topped the list with one in 21.

1,479 children were identified by social services as needing protection from abuse or neglect in particular.

A child is deemed as being "in need" if they are under 18 and need council intervention to prevent harm, to achieve a reasonable state of health or development or if they or their parents are disabled.

1,479 children were identified by social services as needing protection from abuse or neglect in North East Lincolnshire last year (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A further 332 children in our area needed help because their families were judges to be "dysfunctional", while in 14 cases, social services were concerned about absent parenting.

The rate of a child being identified as at risk of abuse or neglect is more than twice as high in North East Lincolnshire than it is nationally.

The council has said there was a "slight" increase in the number of children who were looked after by the local authority, with 20 per cent more children in care than the year before.

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